First cruise-in of season this weekend

The nostalgia of slowly riding in a vehicle, circling Elkin’s famous cruising loop is something people in the area continue to reminisce, despite the activity being banned many years ago. But this weekend warm, sunny weather will welcome those who wish to experience cruising at its finest in downtown Elkin.

The first cruise-in of the 2016 season will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, with those attending welcome to park their cars in parking lots or in curbside parking spaces, with no restrictions on parking on the weekends.

Organizers will be set up in the Wells Fargo parking lot, along with TOBC Racing from Jonesville, reported Vicki Roberts, coordinator of the event for the sponsoring Downtown Elkin Inc.

Scott Harwell of TOBC Racing will be on hand showing off his racing motorcycles, including the one that brought home the 2015 Daytona 200 trophy and the bike he is running this year, Roberts said. “He will have his truck and trailer set up with the observation deck and everything so people can walk through and see it and meet our local celebrity,” she said.

Roberts said vehicles coming to the cruise-in will run the gamut, from regular street model cars to those in classic cars. “It is kind of a mix of everything,” she said.

WIFM will play period music from the era of cruising which will be pretaped and aired on the loud speakers throughout downtown.

Cruisers will have an opportunity to park and walk around and shop, or cruise the loop, from Wells Fargo on Main Street to the Elkin Public Library, turning left and going by Harry’s Place and Combs Butcher Shop to Yadkin Valley General Store and then turning left back down Main Street.

“It’s the historic loop everyone used to do, it was our social networking loop,” Roberts said.

This year there will be no judging of vehicles, but Roberts asked that those bringing cars still register at the organizers’ booth at Wells Fargo. Registration is free, and those who register will get a dash plaque, with a different one being handed out each month, and entered in a drawing for a grand prize.

“The goal of this event is to get people to downtown to see what there is. I’ve encouraged and sent out another email yesterday to businesses asking them to have their businesses open for the event, or if they aren’t open to at least put on a sign on their door for when they’ll be open again so shoppers will know to come by,” said Roberts.

The event isn’t a money-making venture, but an effort by Downtown Elkin Inc. “It is for people to come down and have fun.”

This year, in addition to Harry’s Place, 222 Public House, Royall’s and Fiddles Pub, Roberts said Hot Shotz Bar & Grill will be sending carhops downtown to take orders and bring people their food from the restaurant. “She was so excited, she was even hoping to get poodle skirts,” Roberts said.

Others who help organize the event include representatives from downtown merchants and Landon Smith of Smith Powersports who does all the screen printing for the flyers and T-shirts, which will be for sale at Wells Fargo parking lot.

Cruise-ins will continue through September on the fourth Saturday of each month from 4 to 9 p.m.

Wendy Byerly Wood may be reached at 336-258-4035 or on Twitter @wendywoodeditor.